ARE you concerned about the environment? Would you rather take the train than travel by aeroplane, or car? As the Copenhagen earth summit looms, Asha Stuttard finds ten eco-friendly options right on your doorstep around Spain.
La Cabana
Rated by the Guardian as a “funky little casita”, Casa la Dehesa is located between Chiclana and Conil, only 15 minutes away from the nearest Costa de Luz beach.
The owners use solar energy to power the electricity, use water pumped from a well and re-use as much rainwater as they can.
La Cabana, in the grounds of Casa la Dehesa, sleeps two but can accommodate three for an additional five euros per night.
It costs from 35 euros per night. Go to www.casaladehesa.com or call 678367850/679638074.
The Lodge
For a quiet getaway with fantastic views – over to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco on a clear day – and only an hour away from Granada, The Lodge could be right up your street.
Situated high up in the Sierra Nevada at Semilla Besada, a conservation research farm in the mountains, there are great opportunities for self-guided walking tours as well as ample bird-watching to be done.
To help the environment, The Lodge provides biodegradable body-care products, uses renewable energy sources where possible – including to power light and heating in the accommodation and provides guests with information to ensure their stay is as ecologically friendly as possible.
Prices: Min. stay of one week costs 385 euros and the accommodation sleeps 4. For further details visit www.holisticdecisions.com/thelodge or call 958347053
Kaano Etxea
For a place completely self-sufficient on renewable energy then head up to the mountains in Navarra. Kaano Etxea is powered entirely by wind turbines and solar panels.
They have used Feng Shui to design their five bedrooms, which are made from chestnut and oak wood and even the floors are made from natural materials.
The cost is from 75 euros per night, including breakfast. For more information go to www.kaanoetxea.com or call 948396080/685707277/948396010.
Refugio de Cristal
For a luxurious break where you can wildlife-spot to your heart’s content you should go to the Refugio de Cristal in Toledo.
The place is located next to Cabaneros national park and uses renewable energy sources as well as making efforts to save water.
Each of the five bedrooms is equipped with an LCD TV and DVD player and all are en-suite too.
Prices are from 52 euros per night including breakfast. There are details of offers on the website www.elrefugiodecristal.com or call 618448544
Posada del Candil
For a rural hotel in the mountains of Almeria go to Posada del Candil. The hotel is made from wood obtained from sustainable forests, uses solar energy, a biomass heating system and stores rainwater to re-use.
If you feel like venturing out, there’s a range of walking routes easily accessible from the hotel.
The hotel costs from 40 euros per person and can be booked by calling 696388561/628934891.
Mallata Rapun
Another place in northern Spain, quite close to the French border is in Huesca. Surrounded by valleys, Mallata Rapun is located in an abandoned village.
The house maintains a traditional rustic exterior while using alternative energy sources to generate power and it’s made entirely from materials found nearby like wood and stone.
The cost per room per night is from 50 euros, but the whole house with its three bedrooms can be hired from 150 euros. For more details go to www.jaca.com/mallatarapun or call 974337218/685977290.
Hotel Posada del Valle
If you can’t decide between the beach or the mountains, then Hotel Posada del Valle could be the place for you.
Surrounded by an organic farm, the hotel is close to the Asturian mountains as well as the beaches in eastern Asturias.
The hotel recycles, makes compost from any organic waste, uses local and ecological products as well as producing electricity from renewable sources.
The rooms cost from 49.60 euros per night and you can book by calling 985841157 or look at the website www.posadadelvalle.com.
Casa rural Los Jeronimos
There’s an environmentally friendly hotel in Zamora that prides itself on the ‘Three Rs’- reduce, re-use and recycle.
Casa rural Los Jeronimos in La Tuda tries to reduce the use of all energy sources like heating and electricity, re-use rainwater and recycles all the usual bits and pieces.
You can take a bit of a stroll from the hotel or even hire a mountain bike or canoe to explore further afield.
From 53 euros per night including breakfast, homemade dinners can be booked too. Visit the website www.losjeronimos.com or call 980551240/699411664.
La Alqueria de Valverde
Situated in the Allyon mountains, La Alqueria de Valverde is a large three-storey house converted into four apartments each accommodating different numbers of guests.
The building is constructed completely from pine wood and stone with wood decorations inside made from oak.
The countryside is within easy reach of the house and there are some great mountain bike trails.
To reserve a room from 80 euros per night, call 949307444/680644232, or visit the website www.laalqueriadevalverde.com.
Cortijo Matacaliente
If you fancy being in the countryside but not too far from the nearest town, then head to Cortijo Matacaliente in Jerez de la Frontera.
The house is a bio-climatic construction, made from mud, wood and straw. All the warm water and heating to the house is provided by solar power. The rooms cost from 45 euros per night.
To book call 658646055/630085170 or visit the website for an email address www.matacaliente.com.
One of the best and more environment responsable rural hotels is "La Dehesilla de Melque", which all the house is supply with solar panels.
It is situated at the centre of Toledo, Spain very close to Madrid, capital of Spain.
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